Dark, Dramatic and Designed to Entertain: Step Inside This Show-Stopping Home

“It was two families becoming one,” Marek notes of the clients. “They bought this house to make it a family house. He had two older kids, and she had two dogs. The main goal was to combine both of their likes and styles into something custom and functional.”

“Before the renovation, the great room had an old electric fireplace,” Marek says. “They didn’t need another fireplace, so we brainstormed ideas to see what would still give the space visual interest. We created a marble bench from wall to wall and added accent lighting underneath to visually contrast and showcase the beauty of the marble’s veining.” 

The grid mirror hanging above the bench infuses sophistication into the room while allowing the homeowners to view their David Yarrow artwork when sitting on the great room’s sofa. The darker colors and sleek lines present a masculine and edgy vibe, which Marek balances by incorporating feminine elements, such as neutral accent chairs, linen curtains and wall moldings. These complement the space and create a truly unique visual experience. 

The living room is another example of how Marek encapsulated each personality into an attractive and custom narrative, “[The husband] is huge into music,” Marek says of the client. “Incorporating his sound system in the living room was a must. The large speakers aren’t the most appealing and stand out in the room, so to tackle that challenge, we added vertical paneled slats and painted them black, which camouflages the speakers into the space.” This decision paired well with the existing black marble fireplace, adding continuity to the sleek ambiance that is evident and felt in the great room. 

Marek continued to appeal to the client’s love for music by building floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to house his record collection. “It has an area for his record player to pull out as well,” she notes. 

A temperature-controlled wine closet and a bar nook complete the living room’s amenities. The soft-white sectional, circular coffee tables, moss-colored chairs and potted olive tree add warm contrast, making the room feel welcoming. 

Lighting was another tool used to bring touches of femininity to the house. “Lighting is the jewelry of the home,” Marek states. Throughout the house, Marek includes stunning lighting fixtures, from the chain-hanging pendants in the breakfast nook to the alabaster lighting, which was designed to resemble a jewelry piece, in the bedrooms. 

The stunning pearl lighting fixture that dangles above the seating section in the primary bedroom is another example of how Marek elevated the space using lighting; each lighting element not only elevated the home’s overall aesthetic, but it also brings each room to a close, giving the feeling of a finished look.

Entertaining guests is a big part of the client’s lifestyle, so indoor/outdoor integration was integral to the home’s design. “Double doors that connect directly to the patio are visible in the great room as soon as you walk through the front entrance,” Marek says of the design, which creates a harmonious flow from the interiors to the exterior. “Another example is in the family room, which hosts a large glass pivot door.”

The kitchen’s clean design, which won the ICONIC award at the 2024 ICONIC Design Awards, is anchored by a grand kitchen island, making it a hub for entertaining. The open floor plan enables effortless navigation from the kitchen space to the back patio, allowing large groups to walk in and out seamlessly. 

When the homeowners want a break from entertaining, their primary bathroom is the ideal place for them to unwind and relax. Calcutta viola countertops, paired with dark wood cabinetry and light flooring, give the space an effortless, spa-like feel, while the two-person steam shower with white tiling promotes relaxation. The wall-to-wall marble ledge and bench, made from leftover Calcutta marble, add a sophisticated yet functional element to the shower, allowing plenty of space for the client’s toiletries. 

“One challenge with the bathroom was hiding a beam that we could not get rid of,” Marek recalls. “Instead of dropping the ceiling lower, I decided to wrap it in tile and add accent lighting in the gap, which actually turned it into a beautiful architectural element that really showcases dimension.” 

The gym is a design gem within the home. It accommodates the owners’ active lifestyles and furthers the scale of luxury the home possesses. Dark floors, wood paneling on the ceiling and walls and linear lighting give the space a zen-like feel. The minimalistic gym equipment, which hangs within the nooks of the walls and occupies the left side of the gym, adds an industrial effect. 

Clerestory windows allow for natural light, opening the gym without distracting from the beautiful design. A large circular mirror anchors the space, making it feel complete. Framed windows and a glass pivot door line the left-hand wall, allowing family members to easily see when the gym is in use. The overall design is clean, modern and refined, a favorite among the design team. 

Through completing two phases of home renovation with these clients, Marek established a relationship that went beyond business; she forged a lifelong friendship. “Getting to know these clients was my favorite part of this process,” Marek says. “We are really good friends now, so getting to know their lifestyle and creating a space they truly love makes it feel special.” This friendship is a testament to the designer’s passion for her craft and her care in bringing her clients’ dream to life. 

“I can confidently say Emmy Couture Designs is the best out there,” the homeowners say. From start to finish, the entire experience was seamless, professional, and genuinely enjoyable. They exceeded our expectations once more with stunning results that were both creative and perfectly tailored to our vision. They brought our ideas to life in the most beautiful way.”